KL-Singapore HSR: Malaysia intends to keep with project given the ‘positive multiplier effect’ on economy, says finance minister
07 November, 2020
The Malaysian government intends to proceed with the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project as it can "generate a positive multiplier influence on the national economy", said finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz on Friday (Nov 6).
However, this is also reliant on continuing discussions with the Singapore government, he added.
His comments were made while tabling the 2021 national budget in parliament, that your government said is targeted at helping the united states cope with the financial impact of COVID-19.
In his budget speech, Mr Tengku Zafrul outlined the government's commitment in implementing transport infrastructure projects that will benefit the people.
He said that in 2021, RM15 billion (US3.63 billion) will be utilized to fund projects just like the Pan Borneo Highway, the Gemas-Johor Bahru Railway Electrified Double-Tracking project and phase 1 of the Klang Valley Double Tracking project.
Besides that, other projects which will be continued will be the RTS Link project from Johor Bahru to Woodlands and the MRT Line in the Klang Valley area.
The minister said: "Simply the government intends to keep with the HSR project because this project will be able to generate a positive multiplier effect on the national economy. However, this also is determined by continuing discussions with Singapore."
In September 2018, Singapore and Malaysia decided to postpone the construction of the HSR until end-May this season. Malaysia had to pay Singapore S$15 million for costs incurred in suspending the project.
Malaysia later requested an additional seven-month extension to permit both sides to discuss and assess Malaysia’s proposed changes to the project.
Mr Khaw Boon Wan, who was then Singapore’s Transport Minister, decided to the “final extension of the suspension period” until Dec 31.
Both countries had also announced that the HSR service will be expected to start out by Jan 1, 2031, instead of the initial commencement date of Dec 31, 2026, as a result of that suspension.
The proposed HSR line aims to lessen travel time between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to around 90 minutes by train, from the current 11 hours on existing train services.
When operational, the line will offer you an express service between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, a domestic service from Kuala Lumpur to Iskandar Puteri and a shuttle service from Iskandar Puteri to Jurong East.
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